October 21, 2008

Suicides rise for white, middle-aged adults

The suicide rate in America is rising for the first time since the late 1990s as more white middle-aged men and women decide to end their lives.

The data from a just-published study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine are startling:

Between 1999 and 2005, the suicide rate for white women age 40 to 64 rose 3.9 percent annually. The raw numbers show a 35 percent jump, from 2,429 suicides in this group in 1999 to 3,280 in 2005.

For white men age 40 to 64, the suicide rate climbed 2.7 percent yearly and suicides jumped 33 percent (from 7,916 to 10,535) between 1999 and 2005.

(The suicide rate is expressed as the number of people who commit suicide for every 100,000 people in the population. That way, ratios are consistent over time and don't reflect population increases.)

No other age or racial group marked similarly significant increases. Indeed, over the seven years analyzed, suicide rates for African-Americans declined by slightly more than 1 percent a year.

What we’re seeing is the emergence of white, middle-age people as a “new high-risk group for suicide,” the authors write in the journal article.

Why is this happening – and why now?

“Really, we don’t know,” said Susan Baker, an author of the new study and a professor with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Perhaps, she notes, Baby Boomers are more prone to depression, drug abuse and their counterparts—despair and hopelessness. Perhaps women have become more vulnerable to mood disorders as they’ve pulled back on taking hormone replacement therapy around menopause.

More than 90 percent of suicides are associated with psychiatric disorders, and deteriorating access to treatment may part of the explanation, says Dr. Paula Clayton, medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Also, she says, "don't rule out the impact of suicides of veterans" from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a notable increase in suicides among 45- to 54-year-olds last December, the New York Times wrote “the prime suspect is the skyrocketing use – and abuse – of prescription drugs.”

The CDC report covered the period from 1999 to 2004; it didn’t look at which racial group was most affected.

The Baby Boomer hypothesis has yet to be tested in a rigorous fashion. But it appears to dovetail, at least superficially, with the largest study of happiness in America, published by University of Chicago researchers earlier this year.

That report in the American Sociological Review stated that Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) were the least happy age group of all those surveyed.

“This is probably due to the fact that the generation as a group was so large, and their expectations were so great, that not everyone in the group could get what he or she wanted as they aged,” U. of C. assistant sociology professor Yang Yang said in a statement. “This could lead to disappointment that could undermine happiness.”

Dr. Jan Fawcett, a professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, echoed the sentiment. “When you get into middle age and start evaluating whether your dreams have been fulfilled – when you realize you’re not going to be a Master of the Universe and besides that you’re balding and aging—that can be hard," he said. "Also, the kids leave home and that changes everything.”

Add to that disrespect for older people, stigma associated with mental health disorders, economic insecurity, and the unravelling of social networks, suggested hundreds of readers who responded to the New York Times article.

Still, there are lots of pieces that don’t fit the puzzle. In the University of Chicago study, white women had the highest probability of being happy (33 percent) followed by white men (28 percent), black women (18 percent) and black men (15 percent).

Also, a separate study recently found that Americans count middle age as the happiest time of life, the New York Times noted.

Whatever the cause for the uptick in suicides, the recommendation is clear. "I would hope that families and friends would reach out to anyone who might be susceptible -- especially people who tend to be alone and lonely without much purpose in life," said Baker of Johns Hopkins.

Before the current uptick in suicides, the number of people taking their own lives had declined 18 percent between 1986 and 1999. In 2005, suicide claimed 32,637 people, ranking as the fourth leading cause of death for people 10 to 64 years old.

Only time will tell if the current trend holds and if the profile of people who end their lives in this country is, in fact, changing.

While a rash of recent suicides related to the economic downturn has made news, those deaths are not included in the new study, which is based on data from several years ago.

ADDENDUM: Some readers have written in expressing a sense of deep despair. If suicide is something you're thinking about, please call for help.

In Northern Illinois, you can call Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia at (630) 482-9696. They're open from 8 am to midnight.

Up to 95 percent of callers just need someone to talk to, who's non-judgmental, said Eric Bailey, a volunteer who was working the phones on Tuesday. Volunteers will help connect you with local resources and, in the most extreme cases, call the police if they think you're in immedidate danger.

Nationally, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. That's a 24/7 operation.

The same group runs another national hotline 24/7 at (800) 784-2433.

Covenant House out of New York runs a national hotline for people in all kinds of crisis, including those thinking of suicide or dealing with child abuse, domestic violence and other terrible situations. That number is 1-800-999-9999 and it's open 24/7.

For resources in Illinois, look at the organizations listed on this Web page, which specialize in crisis counselling. Here's another Web page that lists Illinois resources, including counseling for students at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Finally, remember that there are several effective treatments for depression, including cognitive behavior therapy, other therapies, and medication. Ask the hotlines listed above for referrals to affordable services.

Maybe the rise in suicides in middle-aged white men is because the United States is a heartless, angry, selfish society. Maybe its because men realize how powerless they really are- and either join irrational, fundamentalist religious movments or emotional radical political movements such as following Palin (strongly reminiscent of a certain Weimar-era movement) or they feel isolated. Maybe its because social darwinism is the true driving vision of Americans and middle aged white men find themselves unable to understand, much less afford, health insurance. Maybe its because "professionals" look to things like "baby boomers being prone to depression" instead of the destruction of heart, soul and true integration and support in our society.

Happiness has probably little to do with the suicide rate. If you look at the make-up of middle American from 1955 through 1975, surely the most important period during the lifetimes of the study group, you will find a White America. As this generation has grown older the profile held since childhood no longer exists in today's culture. We are not what we used to be; we are very, very different. And, some people just cannot handle this for their own, personal reasons. This explanation is not to justify but only to recognize. When you add divorce, loss of 50's family values, and so forth, many ask, "What to live for?" Indeed.

Gee, did these folks think to look at how many jobs were lost and off-shored during that period of time. Lose your job, ya have to start over at 20-40% less than you were making. And that occurred even though one might have been doing their job properly. Not much of a reward. Darn right it's depressing.

I have been considering suicide for the last 4 years. Each time I get closer to it, but pull back because I fear for what I would be leaving my wife. I don't have any savings and no retirement. I have tried repeatedly to get a job with the State, where I only need 2 years to vest, but to no avail. I'm 56 years old and have been alawyer for 25+ years. Great experience in th e real world. I don't believe there is a god and if there is one, it has completely forgotten us (but again, my scientific mind makes it imposssible for me to believe that there is a god.) This country is going to vote for another Republican president (and stooge VP) and we'll have 4 + years of fighting and higher deficits. There's no point. The only thing that would make me happy is a warm place to forget it all, all the books I could read, and someone to take care of my ill wife. Since that ain't hapenning, the day of reckoning is coming closer. I'm worth more dead than I am alive.

it's no surprise, look at our future.
our retirement funds are either gone or never were in the first place.
we get laid off from our jobs 3 years prior to retirement, which reduces our SS benefits.
our future outlook is loneliness, want ( and possibly starvation), abuse from health care or nursing homes, and dementia.

Maybe they realized that they are the key demographic of the most irresponsible generation in American history: living far beyond their means to impress others (and when that falls apart, they lose their fake identity), voting and supporting to send other people's kids to war while swearing off any sacrifice on their own part...let's face it, this demographic was terribly patronizing, and now that their false sense of superiority has been exposed, they simply can't handle it.

Maybe we need a law so the nanny state can hold their hands and brush their hair while telling them, "it's going to be alright. Mommy and Daddy government will make everything all right because you are irresponsible."

Mary J -- Maybe like you suggest, they just felt like pathetic victims at every turn. Which makes me fell LESS empathetic toward them. Nobody wanted to listen to their pathetic WHINING anymore like you're doing here.

What a bunch of little girls. "Oh, my life is bad, I lost my job, I dont have money, the Government is bad, Im going to kill myself." "whah whah whah wahhaaaaaa.... Poor me".

If our forefathers had the same attitude as you pansies do, then we would be saying God save the Queen and still living in colonies.

This is the problem with Americans, a bunch of excuse making whiney babies.

Wake up americans, our Gov is more corrupt than ever. We are losing money and you fairies want to quit????
B.S., stand up and fight for once in your life. These people whining about how bad life is, makes me sick.

Bunch of babies on this board today. Stand up and fight for once in your lives. Stop saying Yes Masta to our Government. They are OUR SERVANTS, NOT MASTERS. WAKE THE F UP. We need to hold them accountable, and if they are not willing to change and perform "THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE" then WE THE PEOPLE must band together and remove them and elect more qualified leadership.

I mean no disrespect, but I would think a high-tech economy that blurs the lines between work and home life can have an adverse impact. Unfortunately, the American economy is quiet simply becoming so competitive it is morphing into a mental health crisis. Many of the low-stress jobs Americans could rely on in the 50s' and 60s' left the American economy a long time ago and we're starting to pay the price so many years later. Drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and an assortment of mental health disorders are related to a high-stress lifestyle.

I wonder if they factored in weight loss surgery! It puts people at a higher risk of suicide. Sadly, before there was such anti fat hysteria, fat people had a LOWER risk of suicide. Chalk it up to one more way bariatrics hurt far more than they help!!!

Friends: Depression can warp your sense of logic and reasoning. For example, it is kind of like a person getting drunk, and if you ask that person exactly when they got drunk, they would not know when. I would urge you to visit sites such as the "Bipolar Alliance" where you can find not only information, but peer support as well. Please don't let the general negativity of the US economy affect your health. There are friends out there willing to help.

Gee all of these posts are so depressing. Can't someone note the infinite beauty in all of nature in spite of the ills noted? Have you seen a sunrise or sunset recently? The lake, the mountains, the trees? Animals or children at play in the park? A symphony or a trip to the art museum or even a sporting event where excellence may also be exhibited. regardless of how you see God, there is no denying the infinite beauty in the world and within all of its creation and the egocentric thought process of depression pales when one just looks outwards as I have posited here. Best wishes for all of you who are feeling depressed and consider counseling and perhaps antidepressants too if you still have trouble seeing the infinite goodness in life.

"Maybe the rise in suicides in middle-aged white men is because the United States is a heartless, angry, selfish society."

Talk about angry? If we're so selfish, why is every country who runs into trouble asking US for money? Why are thousands of people trying to get into our country every day? You seem extreamly unhappy yourself. Perhaps looking inward and being concerned with what YOU are doing in YOUR life, instead of judging others, would make you happier.

Perhaps the reason for the immense depression is the fact that these men and women have worked their butts off, and for what? For the government to steal money from you and give it to others, for saving all your money and then losing it, for struggling to pay for your kids to go to college because they don't belong to a special interest group where they can get a scholarship or loan? For being brow-beaten because they are perceived as "rich", for entering professions which were once respected and then being verbally abused by jealous non-achievers? For constantly being told by the media that those who earn a decent living are the common man's enemy, and that driving a BMW or Mercedes equals beating seals to death or drowning babies? You're supposed to carry the responsiblity, but are not supposed to be rewarded. What IS the point of living?

Someone once told me that it's not life that kills us but all the unlife we have to put up with. Suicide is not the answer to unlife; more life is the answer to unlife. Clearly, our culture is in steep decline with no realistic possibility of reversal. In order to keep from becoming dejected, I resign myself to what cannot be changed, lower my expectations, and find meaning in the secure knowledge that the work I do now will serve a future, humbled humanity.

Its fine to complain about our future and say that's why boomers are checking out... but who was at the helm and should have yelled whao, our future is important, don't give me lower taxes and spend more than we have... boomers anyone? I agree - those that made the mess were selfish, and now that the future has arrived (earlier than they expected) many are being selfish once again...

Soft is what our society wants - they don't understand that EVERYONE has a sob story when there are freebies to give out. Life is supposed to be a challenge - the only entitlements we have are being BORN and DYING. Everything else must be worked for - including good health. Those that fall in the did everything but still am sick category would be easy to aide - but for all of the masses of folks who just didn't give a darn until the payment was due on their bad behaviour.

Yes I may seem cold - but if you read I am not saying they should go that route - but - they should not be patted on the back for a life well lived... unless its deserved. We need a leader to stand up and tell these folks rich and poor, young and old - america was not founded to be your security blanket and provide for you - it was created to protect your rights to provide for yourself without the fear from gov't or fellow man. Boy have we strayed from that vision.

The article says that perhaps baby boomers are more prone to depression. I'm not sure about that, but there is easy access to all kinds of "pills" and other lethal means as in guns, which make it easier if one is intoxicated and depressed. Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide. All the other issues that people mention are triggers that could set off a suicide, in an already depressed person. Many people don't realize that they suffer from depression and if treated they will have a different outlook on the same facts.

So people are killing themselves because they're taking prescription drugs, and because they're not taking prescription drugs? Look for the simple truth: Life sucks, bad, and is only sucking worse and worse. Look for suicide to become the top killer after heart disease and cancer as life in America becomes bleaker.

Pressure. Pressure to be greater, better, happier. I'm 46 and a white male. I'm JUST NOW beginning to learn how to relax and enjoy life. To simply ease up on myself and accept the fact that I will not ever be "superman". I think some of you will know what I'm talking about here. :)

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Getting the medical care you need isn't easy. Resources can be hard to find. Weighing the costs and benefits of proposed interventions can be difficult. Choosing a doctor or a hospital, negotiating with your insurer, staying on top of treatment trends, getting the best care possible -- all these can be nerve-wracking. This blog will bring you useful information, connect you with important resources and highlight the stories of other people like you.